May 16, 2014
For Immediate Release
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| Ashli Watts, third from left, visited Campbellsville/Taylor County Chamber of Commerce as Dave Adkisson, president and chief executive officer of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the chamber members. Watts is manager of public affairs for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. At left is Judy Cox, director of the Campbellsville-Taylor County Chamber; and Campbellsville Mayor Tony Young. |
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Ashli Schmidt Watts says being a student at Campbellsville University was some of the best years of her life.
Watts, who is now manager of public affairs for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the mother of 22-month-old Emma, graduated from Campbellsville University in 2004. Her time at CU was special because “I was much more than a number and had personal relationships with faculty and staff which helped me throughout my four years at CU and helped guide me in my career path.”
While making friends at CU who will last a lifetime, Watts said she has had several opportunities to give back to her alma mater including serving on the Board of Alumni. Her volunteerism extends to serving at Hospice of the Bluegrass and with First United Methodist Church in Frankfort.
She and her husband, Ryan, also financially support CU and will be among those attending the “Campaign for the Commonwealth” fundraising event Tuesday, May 22 at 6 p.m. at the Campbell House in Lexington.
Watts served two years as Student Government Association president at CU and double majored in political science and history. And scholarships helped her continue her education.
“The Campaign for the Commonwealth is so important to the future of the university so that CU can continue to provide a quality, liberal arts, Christian education,” Watts said.
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| Ashli Watts, left, testifies before a legislative committee on a smoke-free workplace law. |
“For someone who would not have been able to attend CU without scholarship assistance, building the scholarship fund for students is critical,” she said.
“Campaign for the Commonwealth” is a part of a much larger phase, “Our Time, This Place: The Next Century Campaign for Campbellsville University,” which will raise funds to go toward funding the next 100 years of preparing young people to become servant leaders.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said, “With the growth Campbellsville University has experienced over the past 15 years, God’s leadership has been present in every phase of university life. Now we are poised to continue that growth and serve even more students in the years ahead.”
Other upcoming events include ones in the fall in Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Frankfort and Florence. Dinners have already been in Louisville, Somerset and Stanford (including Danville).
Watts said, “I feel like going to a small, private university provided me so many opportunities that I may not have been able to have at a larger university.”
She said Campbellsville University gave her an academic foundation that molded her into her professional career.
“However, CU was much more than simply an academic institution to me,” she said.
“It was instrumental in developing my character, building my confidence, guiding my career path, providing me leadership opportunities, and gaining life-long friends,” she said.
When she recalls her CU days, being involved in SGA for all four years of her college career, nurtured her leadership skills and developed her love for government service.
“SGA holds a special place in my heart,” Watts said.
She said the Campaign for the Commonwealth will also help grow “the university and its programs so that students will be even more prepared to enter the workforce or graduate school once they graduate.”
“Campbellsville has given me the foundation that has lead me on a path career-wise and provided me so many opportunities that built my character,” she said.
Campbellsville University was “much more to me than just a classroom,” Watts said.
“Providing quality Christian education in an environment that encourages personal growth and leadership development is invaluable,” she said.
“I know that I would not be where I am today had it not been for my education and the relationships I made at CU.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.